China’s state media are hailing a new fallen hero: Luo Yang, the engineer in charge of developing the J-15 fighter jet who died on Sunday shortly after watching its first ever landing on the deck of a Chinese aircraft carrier.

Mr. Luo was struck by a heart attack immediately after leaving the Liaoning aircraft carrier around noon on Sunday, state media said, adding that efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

The state-run Xinhua news agency said flags had been lowered at the gates to SAC’s compound in the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang, where electronic signs flashed the message “Mourn General Manager Luo Yang. Luo will be immortal.”

The engineer reported not feeling well but stayed on the ship to help collect data on the jet landing exercises because of the importance of the work, state media said. News of Mr. Luo’s death cast a pall over what was otherwise a landmark moment for China, which has sought for decades to develop the ability to deploy fighter jets at sea. The development of the Liaoning, based on a hull purchased from the Ukraine, has become a symbol of the country’s efforts to become a naval power and challenge U.S. military dominance in the Asia-Pacific.

“Under his leadership, the Chinese aerospace industry has made the leap from land to sea. The J-15 is an important accomplishment,” read a report posted to the website of state-run China National Radio. “You can say he collapsed on the aircraft carrier as a soldier of national defense science and technology – the man who sacrificed the most in service of the motherland’s aircraft carrier program.”

The J-15, which is based on the carrier-based Russian Sukhoi SU-33 and equipped with Russian engines, sits at the heart of China’s carrier program, and it’s not clear yet what impact Mr. Luo’s death could have on the program.

SAC could not immediately be reached for comment. Parent company AVIC released a statement on its website noting that Mr. Luo played a key role in the J-15 program and other major projects. “We deeply cherish the memory of, and will never forget, Comrade Luo Yuan,” the statement said.

Little known outside military and aerospace circles prior to his death, Mr. Luo’s named was among the most searched terms on Chinese search engine Baidu on Monday. His death was also a major topic of discussion on Sina Corp.’s Weibo microblogging service, where many described him as a hero and mourned his passing with virtual candles.

“How much blood have Chinese scientists given to the cause – especially the research and development people who work behind the scenes… Respect!!!” wrote one microblogger. “The pressure they’re under is too much.”

(NOTE: An excerpt of this post published the CRT home page misspelled Mr. Yang’s name. It has since been corrected. Thanks to a reader for pointing out the error.)

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